When should a tourniquet be applied?

A tourniquet should be applied in situations where there is a risk of severe blood loss, and it is critical to control bleeding quickly. The correct responses all reflect circumstances that warrant the use of a tourniquet.

Massive arterial bleeding is a situation where blood is spurting out rapidly, indicating that a major blood vessel has been damaged. In such cases, applying a tourniquet can help to occlude the blood flow and prevent critical blood loss.

If direct pressure on a wound fails to stop the bleeding, it indicates that the hemorrhage is severe enough that the usual first-aid techniques are insufficient. This reinforces the need for a tourniquet to be applied to effectively control the bleeding.

Placing the tourniquet 1-2 inches above the wound is crucial to ensure that it effectively constricts the blood vessels supplying the injured area without risking further damage to surrounding tissues.

Therefore, the application of a tourniquet is warranted in conjunction with these considerations, making the collective criteria a comprehensive reason for its use.